1,721,157 research outputs found
Radial velocity confirmation of Kepler-91 b: Additional evidence of its planetary nature using the Calar Alto/CAFE instrument
No full textThe object transiting the star Kepler-91 was recently assessed as being of planetary nature. The confirmation was achieved by analysing the light-curve modulations observed in the Kepler data. However, quasi-simultaneous studies claimed a self-luminous nature for this object, thus rejecting it as a planet. In this work, we apply anindependent approach to confirm the planetary mass of Kepler-91b by using multi-epoch high-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the Calar Alto Fiber-fed Echelle spectrograph (CAFE). We obtain the physical and orbital parameters with the radial velocity technique. In particular, we derive a value of 1.09 ± 0.20 MJup for the mass of Kepler-91b, in excellent agreement with our previous estimate that was based on the orbital brightness modulation
Eclipsing binaries and fast rotators in the Kepler sample: Characterization via radial velocity analysis from Calar Alto ∗ ∗ ∗
No full textContext. The Kepler mission has searched for planetary transits in more than two hundred thousand stars by obtaining very accurate photometric data over a long period of time. Among the thousands of detected candidates, the planetary nature of around 15% has been established or validated by different techniques. But additional data are needed to characterize the rest of the candidates and reject other possible configurations. <BR /> Aims: We started a follow-up program to validate, confirm, and characterize some of the planet candidates. In this paper we present the radial velocity analysis of those that present large variations, which are compatible with being eclipsing binaries. We also study those showing high rotational velocities, which prevents us from reaching the necessary precision to detect planetary-like objects. <BR /> Methods: We present new radial velocity results for 13 Kepler objects of interest (KOIs) obtained with the CAFE spectrograph at the Calar Alto Observatory and analyze their high-spatial resolution (lucky) images obtained with AstraLux and the Kepler light curves of some interesting cases. <BR /> Results: We have found five spectroscopic and eclipsing binaries (group A). Among them, the case of KOI-3853 is of particular interest. This system is a new example of the so-called heartbeat stars, showing dynamic tidal distortions in the Kepler light curve. We have also detected duration and depth variations of the eclipse. We suggest possible scenarios to explain such an effect, including the presence of a third substellar body possibly detected in our radial velocity analysis. We also provide upper mass limits to the transiting companions of six other KOIs with high rotational velocities (group B). This property prevents the radial velocity method from achieving the necessary precision to detect planetary-like masses. Finally, we analyze the large radial velocity variations of two other KOIs, which are incompatible with the presence of planetary-mass objects (group C).These objects are likely to be stellar binaries. However, a longer timespan is needed to complete their characterization. Based on observations collected at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center, Calar Alto, jointly operated by the Max-Planck Institut fur Astronomie (Heidelberg) and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC, Granada).Appendix A is available in electronic form at <A href="http://www.aanda.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425272/olm">http://www.aanda.org</A
Kepler-447b: A hot-Jupiter with an extremely grazing transit
No full textWe present the radial velocity confirmation of the extrasolar planet Kepler-447b, initially detected as a candidate by the Kepler mission. In this work, we analyzeits transit signal and the radial velocity data obtained with the Calar Alto Fiber-fed Echelle spectrograph (CAFE). By simultaneously modeling both datasets, we obtain the orbital and physical properties of the system. According to our results, Kepler-447b is a Jupiter-mass planet (M<SUB>p</SUB> = 1.37<SUP>+0.48</SUP><SUB>-0.46</SUB> M<SUB>Jup</SUB>), with an estimated radius of R<SUB>p</SUB> = 1.65<SUP>+0.59</SUP><SUB>-0.56</SUB> R<SUB>Jup</SUB> (uncertainties provided in this work are 3σ unless specified). This translates into a sub-Jupiter density. The planet revolves every ~7.8 days in a slightly eccentric orbit (e = 0.123<SUP>+0.037</SUP><SUB>-0.036</SUB>) around a G8V star with detected activity in the Kepler light curve. Kepler-447b transits its host with a large impact parameter (b = 1.076<SUP>+0.112</SUP><SUB>-0.086</SUB>), which is one of the few planetary grazing transits confirmed so far and the first in the Kepler large crop of exoplanets. We estimate that only around 20% of the projected planet disk occults the stellar disk. The relatively large uncertainties in the planet radius are due to the large impact parameter and short duration of the transit. Planetary transits with large impact parameters (and in particular grazing transits) can be used to detect and analyze interesting configurations, such as additional perturbing bodies, stellar pulsations, rotation of a non-spherical planet, or polar spot-crossing events. All these scenarios will periodically modify the transit properties (depth, duration, and time of mid-transit), which could be detectable with sufficiently accurate photometry. Short-cadence photometric data (at the 1-min level) would help in the search for these exotic configurations in grazing planetary transits like that of Kepler-447b. This system could then be an excellent target for the forthcoming missions TESS and CHEOPS, which will provide the required photometric precision and cadence to study this type of transit. Based on observations collected at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center, Calar Alto, jointly operated by the Max- Planck-Institut für Astronomie (Heidelberg) and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC, Granada)
Kepler-539: A young extrasolar system with two giant planets on wide orbits and in gravitational interaction
Full text linkWe confirm the planetary nature of Kepler-539 b (aka Kepler object of interest K00372.01), a giant transiting exoplanet orbiting a solar-analogue G2 V star. The mass of Kepler-539 b was accurately derived thanks to a series of precise radial velocity measurements obtained with the CAFE spectrograph mounted on the CAHA 2.2-m telescope. A simultaneous fit of the radial-velocity data and Kepler photometry revealed that Kepler-539 b is a dense Jupiter-like planet with a mass of M<SUB>p</SUB> = 0.97 ± 0.29 M<SUB>Jup</SUB> and a radius of R<SUB>p</SUB> = 0.747 ± 0.018 R<SUB>Jup</SUB>, making a complete circular revolution around its parent star in 125.6 days. The semi-major axis of the orbit is roughly 0.5 au, implying that the planet is at ≈0.45 au from the habitable zone. By analysing the mid-transit times of the 12 transit events of Kepler-539 b recorded by the Kepler spacecraft, we found a clear modulated transit time variation (TTV), which is attributable to the presence of a planet c in a wider orbit. The few timings available do not allow us to precisely estimate the properties of Kepler-539 c and our analysis suggests that it has a mass between 1.2 and 3.6 M<SUB>Jup</SUB>, revolving on a very eccentric orbit (0.4 <e ≤ 0.6) with a period larger than 1000 days. The high eccentricity of planet c is the probable cause of the TTV modulation of planet b. The analysis of the CAFE spectra revealed a relatively high photospheric lithium content, A(Li) = 2.48 ± 0.12 dex, which, together with both a gyrochronological and isochronal analysis, suggests that the parent star is relatively young. RV/BVS measurements are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to <A href="http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr">http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr</A> (<A href="http://130.79.128.5">http://130.79.128.5</A>) or via <A href="http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/590/A112">http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/590/A112</A
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Two planets on opposite sides of the radius gap transiting the nearby M dwarf LTT 3780
No full textWe present the discovery and characterisation of two transiting planets observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) orbiting the nearby ( d ⋆ ≈ 22 pc), bright ( J ≈ 9 mag) M3.5 dwarf LTT 3780 (TOI–732). We confirm both planets and their association with LTT 3780 via ground-based photometry and determine their masses using precise radial velocities measured with the CARMENES spectrograph. Precise stellar parameters determined from CARMENES high-resolution spectra confirm that LTT 3780 is a mid-M dwarf with an effective temperature of T eff = 3360 ± 51 K, a surface gravity of log g ⋆ = 4.81 ± 0.04 (cgs), and an iron abundance of [Fe/H] = 0.09 ± 0.16 dex, with an inferred mass of M ⋆ = 0.379 ± 0.016 M ⊙ and a radius of R ⋆ = 0.382 ± 0.012 R ⊙ . The ultra-short-period planet LTT 3780 b ( P b = 0.77 d) with a radius of 1.35 −0.06 +0.06 R ⊕ , a mass of 2.34 −0.23 +0.24 M ⊕ , and a bulk density of 5.24 −0.81 +0.94 g cm −3 joins the population of Earth-size planets with rocky, terrestrial composition. The outer planet, LTT 3780 c, with an orbital period of 12.25 d, radius of 2.42 −0.10 +0.10 R ⊕ , mass of 6.29 −0.61 +0.63 M ⊕ , and mean density of 2.45 −0.37 +0.44 g cm −3 belongs to the population of dense sub-Neptunes. With the two planets located on opposite sides of the radius gap, this planetary system is anexcellent target for testing planetary formation, evolution, and atmospheric models. In particular, LTT 3780 c is an ideal object for atmospheric studies with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Mass and density of the transiting hot and rocky super-Earth LHS 1478 b (TOI-1640 b)
No full textOne of the main objectives of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission is the discovery of small rocky planets around relatively bright nearby stars. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of the transiting super-Earth planet orbiting LHS 1478 (TOI-1640). The star is an inactive red dwarf ( J ~ 9.6 mag and spectral type m3 V) with mass and radius estimates of 0.20 ± 0.01 M ⊙ and 0.25 ± 0.01 R ⊙ , respectively, and an effective temperature of 3381 ± 54 K. It was observed by TESS in four sectors. These data revealed a transit-like feature with a period of 1.949 days. We combined the TESS data with three ground-based transit measurements, 57 radial velocity (RV) measurements from CARMENES, and 13 RV measurements from IRD, determining that the signal is produced by a planet with a mass of 2.33 −0.20 +0.20 M ⊕ and a radius of 1.24 −0.05 +0.05 R ⊕ . The resulting bulk density of this planet is 6.67 g cm −3 , which is consistent with a rocky planet with an Fe- and MgSiO 3 -dominated composition. Although the planet would be too hot to sustain liquid water on its surface (its equilibrium temperature is about ~595 K, suggesting aVenus-like atmosphere), spectroscopic metrics based on the capabilities of the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the fact that the host star is rather inactive indicate that this is one of the most favorable known rocky exoplanets for atmospheric characterization.One of the main objectives of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission is the discovery of small rocky planets around relatively bright nearby stars. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of the transiting super-Earth planet orbiting LHS 1478 (TOI-1640). The star is an inactive red dwarf ( J ~ 9.6 mag and spectral type m3 V) with mass and radius estimates of 0.20 ± 0.01 M ⊙ and 0.25 ± 0.01 R ⊙ , respectively, and an effective temperature of 3381 ± 54 K. It was observed by TESS in four sectors. These data revealed a transit-like feature with a period of 1.949 days. We combined the TESS data with three ground-based transit measurements, 57 radial velocity (RV) measurements from CARMENES, and 13 RV measurements from IRD, determining that the signal is produced by a planet with a mass of 2.33 −0.20 +0.20 M ⊕ and a radius of 1.24 −0.05 +0.05 R ⊕ . The resulting bulk density of this planet is 6.67 g cm −3 , which is consistent with a rocky planet with an Fe- and MgSiO 3 -dominated composition. Although the planet would be too hot to sustain liquid water on its surface (its equilibrium temperature is about ~595 K, suggesting aVenus-like atmosphere), spectroscopic metrics based on the capabilities of the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the fact that the host star is rather inactive indicate that this is one of the most favorable known rocky exoplanets for atmospheric characterization
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